Buying a new vehicle is exciting, but many drivers are surprised to learn their insurance premium is significantly higher than expected.

At Boyer Insurance, one of the most common conversations we have with clients shopping for a vehicle is “know before you sign”, because once you have purchased the vehicle, you legally have to carry insurance. The reality is that insurance companies don’t just look at a vehicle’s value. They evaluate real-world claim data, theft trends, repair costs, accident severity, and even driver behavior patterns associated with certain makes and models.

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle or expect to be in the near future, here are some important insurance insights to keep in mind before you buy.

Why Some Vehicles Cost More to Insure

Insurance carriers analyze millions of claims through organizations like the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Their data helps identify which vehicles generate the highest insurance losses.

Some of the biggest factors include:

• Accident frequency
• Injury claim severity
• Vehicle theft rates
• Repair costs
• Horsepower and performance
• Driver demographics
• Technology and replacement part pricing

In many cases, the vehicle someone chooses can impact premiums more than expected.

Vehicle Brands That Typically Carry Higher Insurance Risk

1. Dodge

Performance-oriented Dodge vehicles consistently rank among the highest-risk vehicles for insurers.

Common examples include:

• Dodge Charger
• Dodge Challenger
• Dodge Durango

These vehicles are associated with:

• Higher speeds
• More severe accidents
• Elevated theft rates
• Costly liability claims

According to HLDI claim studies, muscle cars often generate some of the highest collision and bodily injury losses in the market.

Chevrolet Performance Models

Certain Chevrolet vehicles, especially high-performance trims, have become major concerns for insurers.

Examples include:

• Chevrolet Camaro
• Camaro ZL1
• Silverado HD trucks

Recent HLDI studies identified the Camaro ZL1 as one of the most frequently stolen vehicles in America.

High theft activity directly impacts comprehensive insurance premiums and can even limit carrier availability in some markets.

Kia & Hyundai Theft Trends

Over the past several years, Kia and Hyundai vehicles have experienced elevated theft rates tied to immobilizer vulnerabilities on certain models.

Affected models commonly included:

• Hyundai Elantra
• Hyundai Sonata
• Kia Forte
• Kia Optima

As a result:

• Some insurers temporarily restricted coverage, but this has slowly been reverting back
• Comprehensive rates increased
• Deductibles changed in certain areas

Even after software updates, some models continue to experience elevated theft-related claims.

What Vehicles Tend to Have Lower Insurance Costs?

While every driver’s situation is different, vehicles that often perform better from an insurance standpoint include:

• Subaru
• Volvo
• Acura
• Many midsize SUVs
• Vehicles with strong safety ratings
• Models with lower theft frequency

Features that can help:

• Advanced safety technology
• Lower repair complexity
• Strong crash-test performance
• Moderate horsepower
• Lower theft exposure

What Drivers Should Do Before Buying

1. Get an Insurance Quote First

This is the single most important step. We are here to help. Let us quote the vehicles you are considering so that you know what the true costs would be if you buy it. Two vehicles with nearly identical purchase prices can have dramatically different insurance premiums.

A quick quote comparison before buying can help avoid surprises.

2. Consider Total Cost of Ownership

Monthly payment is only part of the equation.

Remember to factor in:

• insurance
• fuel
• tires
• maintenance
• repair costs
• depreciation

A lower-priced vehicle with high insurance costs may actually cost more overall.

3. Be Careful With Performance Trims

Special trims and packages can significantly increase premiums.

Examples:

• Hellcat
• ZL1
• SS
• M-Series
• AMG
• Raptor

Even when the base model is affordable to insure, the performance version may not be.

4. Think About Theft Exposure

Theft rates vary significantly by:

• make
• model
• ZIP code

Vehicles with elevated theft activity can see higher comprehensive premiums or reduced carrier appetite.

5. Ask Us for Information and Advice

Boyer Insurance is here to help by comparing multiple insurance companies and help identify:

• vehicles with favorable rates
• coverage gaps
• deductible strategies
• discounts
• bundled savings opportunities

We often help clients avoid costly insurance surprises before they purchase a vehicle.

Final Thoughts

Insurance companies price vehicles based on real-world claim data, not just vehicle value or popularity.

Before purchasing your next vehicle, it’s worth having a quick conversation with your insurance advisor to understand:

• potential premium changes
• coverage implications
• replacement cost concerns
• theft exposure
• long-term ownership costs

A few minutes of planning upfront can help save hundreds or even thousandsover the life of your vehicle ownership.

If you’re shopping for a vehicle and would like us to compare insurance costs before you buy, contact Boyer Insurance anytime. We’re happy to help you make an informed decision.

Sources & Industry Research

• Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)
  https://www.iihs.org
• Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) Insurance Loss Reports
  https://www.iihs.org/research-areas/auto-insurance/insurance-losses-by-make-and-model
• HLDI Theft Claim Studies
  https://www.iihs.org/topics/auto-theft
• Informed For Life Insurance Loss Analysis
  https://www.informedforlife.com/insurance-losses